A coalition of youth leaders and business professionals under the banner of the Progressive Youth Forum has formally endorsed Hon. Simisola Fajemirokun-Ajayi, a House of Representatives aspirant, by purchasing her Expression of Interest and Nomination forms at the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Secretariat in Abuja.
The endorsement, which took place ahead of the party's primary elections, was described by the group as a collective decision rooted in confidence in her ability to deliver effective and development-oriented representation for the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo and Odigbo Federal Constituency of Ondo State.
Speaking in Abuja, members of the coalition noted that the move followed what they termed a structured assessment of aspirants based on competence, community engagement, policy clarity, and acceptability among constituents. They argued that the constituency requires a representative with a clear understanding of its socio-economic challenges and the capacity to translate legislative opportunities into tangible development, particularly in agriculture, enterprise growth, and youth empowerment.
The spokesperson of the forum, who spoke on behalf of the group, said the decision was not taken lightly, stressing that it reflected a shared conviction among members after months of consultations. “We are investing in leadership that reflects the future we want to see. After careful evaluation, Hon. Fajemirokun-Ajayi stood out in terms of accessibility, track record, and her engagement with grassroots development. This is why we collectively decided to support her aspiration,” he said.
The group further noted that her involvement in community development initiatives and philanthropic activities played a significant role in their decision, adding that she has maintained consistent interaction with stakeholders at the grassroots level. According to them, her candidacy represents what they described as a blend of experience and innovative thinking that could reposition representation for the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo and Odigbo Federal Constituency.
In her response, Fajemirokun-Ajayi expressed appreciation for the gesture, describing it as both encouraging and responsibility-increasing. “I am sincerely grateful for this demonstration of trust and confidence,” she said. “It strengthens my resolve to remain focused on an issue-based campaign that prioritises development, inclusion, and opportunities for our people.”
She pledged to continue engaging constituents across all communities, assuring that her legislative agenda would focus on economic empowerment, youth inclusion, and improved social infrastructure if elected.
Political activities have continued to gather momentum in the Ile-Oluji/Oke-Igbo and Odigbo Federal Constituency, with various groups and stakeholders aligning behind different aspirants ahead of the APC primaries.
